Sam Sutton Wins Reelection to State Senate as Joey Cohen-Saban Captures Brooklyn Assembly Seat
Brooklyn’s frum community celebrated two significant election victories Tuesday night as Democratic State Senator Sam Sutton secured another term in Albany and Joey Cohen-Saban defeated Republican Assemblyman Michael Novakhov in the 45th Assembly District, giving Democrats a notable victory in southern Brooklyn.
The results represent a successful election night for two candidates with close ties to the area’s Orthodox Jewish communities and strengthen their presence in New York State government.
Sutton, who has served in the State Senate, won reelection after campaigning on his record of constituent services, legislative accomplishments, and advocacy for the communities he represents.
His victory ensures that he will continue working on issues of importance to Brooklyn residents, including public safety, religious freedom, education, and the rising cost of living.
During his tenure in Albany, Sutton has worked with Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and other legislators on measures addressing concerns affecting Orthodox Jewish families.
Among those initiatives was legislation dealing with Friday evening parking enforcement, a recurring issue for Shabbos-observant residents. The measure was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Cohen-Saban’s victory over Novakhov represents a particularly significant development in southern Brooklyn politics.
Cohen-Saban, a Democratic district leader who served as Sutton’s chief of staff, defeated the Republican incumbent in a rematch of their closely contested 2024 election.
Two years ago, Novakhov narrowly held onto his seat, defeating Cohen-Saban by approximately 270 votes. That close result set the stage for this year’s renewed contest, with both parties recognizing the district as an important political battleground.
Cohen-Saban entered the race with experience in both electoral politics and government, having managed Sutton’s successful campaign before joining his Senate office.
His campaign focused on issues affecting working families, neighborhood safety, affordability, and the need for responsive representation in Albany.
Novakhov, who first won election to the Assembly in 2022, had established a strong Republican presence in the district, which includes neighborhoods where President Donald Trump received substantial support in the 2024 presidential election.
Cohen-Saban’s victory is therefore especially noteworthy, demonstrating that Democrats were able to prevail in a politically competitive section of Brooklyn despite the district’s recent Republican voting patterns.
The outcome also carries significance for the frum community, where relationships with elected officials and access to government services are important considerations in local elections.
With Sutton returning to the Senate and Cohen-Saban joining the Assembly, the two lawmakers will be positioned to work together on legislative priorities affecting their Brooklyn constituents.
Their victories come as Democrats continue to hold majorities in both chambers of the New York State Legislature, giving the newly elected assemblyman and reelected senator opportunities to advance their priorities within the majority conference.
Both will begin their new terms in January, following an election night that delivered significant victories for their supporters across southern Brooklyn.
